Doc calls nurse coworkers monkeys...

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Once in awhile this ER doc calls the nurses monkeys. Being as I'm new, I haven't heard it for my self yet. The subject just came up when I was telling another nurse that this doc had just explained to another doc on behalf of our new ER Physician Assistant that 'PA school is like nursing school, but for smarter people.' :nailbiting:

How would you interact with someone who has such an apparent disdain for nurses and other health care personnel?

Document every snarky comment (time, date, exactly what was said, to whom it was said, who was in earshot, where it was said, etc.). The more he does it, the more ammo you have against him :devil:

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical/Float Pool/Stepdown.

See I'm not always appropriate when I feel disrespected, I may have snapped back something to the effect of "Oh so that would make you one of the lead baboon's, I mean err, buffoon's".

:blink:

Yes I know I need to work on my soft skills...

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See I'm not always appropriate when I feel disrespected, I may have snapped back something to the effect of "Oh so that would make you one of the lead baboon's, I mean err, buffoon's".

:blink:

Yes I know I need to work on my soft skills...

Tee hee mee too

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Once in awhile this ER doc calls the nurses monkeys. Being as I'm new, I haven't heard it for my self yet. The subject just came up when I was telling another nurse that this doc had just explained to another doc on behalf of our new ER Physician Assistant that 'PA school is like nursing school, but for smarter people.' :nailbiting:

How would you interact with someone who such an apparent disdain for nurses and other health care personnel?

So you haven't actually heard this doc referring to nurses as monkeys?

The PA school comment certainly sounds inappropriate, but if you weren't involved in the conversation, I say MYOB.

How I would interact with someone like you describe would be to keep my interactions professional and appropriately respectful and centered around patient care.

Since you are a newbie, don't go into this expecting this doctor to treat you badly based on hearsay/gossip. Go in expecting to be treated in a professional manner, and behave accordingly.

If and only if this physician treats you in an unprofessional and derogatory manner, address it in the moment and let him or her know you will not tolerate it. If it continues, then file an incident report on his or her disruptive behavior.

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Specializes in Neurology.
When you do hear it for yourself, stop what you are doing.. look sphincterman in the eye and ask What exactly do you mean by monkeys ?

His response will dictate your next action. Whether he is employed by the facility or through a hospitalist group.. he has a boss and a governing body. Let sphincterman know you will be filing a written complaint to both.

sphincterman is too good

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

"Monkey" is a racist term and I think it should be reported to HR. Although I really get a kick out of the snarky responses.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
I am a bit surprised my new coworkers didnt demand more respect. Calling mysef, another nurse, a tech, or an emt a "monkey" --- and I wont shrug it off. I wont use "I feel..." statements for such batant disrespect either. No offense to your comment. Acting calm and rational is something I do out of respect for myself. Someone who disrespects nurses dosent get my kindest words, though. I stick up for my own kind.

I'm with you on the "I feel..." statements. I prefer to state facts: "That is insulting." To say "I feel that is insulting" attenuates the statement and comes across as unassertive.

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Thanks. Had to come with something that was within TOS. Thought rectal sphincter might have been too descriptive.

:chicken:

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"Monkey" is a racist term and I think it should be reported to HR. Although I really get a kick out of the snarky responses.

OP did not specify any race.

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Document every little thing and take it HR along with your hostile work environment complaint. The more who do this the better, this is completely unacceptable.

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I would tell this doctor that he needed to provide medications and care to the patient since I am a monkey.

Annie

This is up there with some of the best responses I have seen on this site.

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"Dr. P. Nis,

You win the internets today with this!

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